12v circuit issue

[Giuseppe Hardblast]

I have a 12v receptacle that came with the van.  The issue I'm having is when I plug into shore power the receptacle doesn't work right. There's power to it but my devices struggle with it. I'm thinking there's some kind of transfer switch that changes to 120v ? Why? I don't know. As far as I know there is only this one receptacle on the circuit 

I'm trying to run a new circuit for 3 12v outlets scattered around the van. It's going to be a huge pain in the ads to run wires over to the receptacle I spoke about but I want to plug the van into my inverter and when I do that receptacle doesn't act right. 

I don't know wtf is going on and trying to save myself wires and extra work.

 

[speedhighway46]

Have you checked the outlet with a voltmeter when the engine is running?

 

[Giuseppe Hardblast]

No. What am I looking for? This van doesnt turn on the receptacles when it starts. It didnt even come with a solenoid or switch to charge the house battery while running. It was meant to be plugged in. The receptacle I replaced it with has volt meter on it though.

 

[Giuseppe Hardblast]

Im not even going to tackle this today. I just replaced the receptacle with a new one and ran a new circuit for the others. Ill save that project for another day and if I got to jump onto the new circuit so be it. Lol

 

[highdesertranger]

the receptacles should have house battery voltage. in other words voltage of the house battery should match the outlet within a couple of tenths of a volt.

what is the house battery voltage? start there.

highdesertranger

 

[Giuseppe Hardblast]

Yea. I'm drowning in projects right now and a future one is tearing apart the breaker panel and all the components in there. Appreciate the help but this one is too involved right now. I'll monitor the circuit next time I plug in and see what's going on.

 

[Giuseppe Hardblast]

I just couldn't understand why someone would hook a 12v circuit up to the shore power. Thought maybe I was missing something

 

[highdesertranger]

all the 12v is indirectly hooked up to shore power. through the converter.

so are you saying you only have this problem when plugged in? if so the problem should be though out the 12v system when pugged in. not just his single outlet.

highdesertranger

 

[Doubleone]

I'm with HDR, start at the house batteries and compare voltage with the socket, both static and under load, both plugged into shore and on batteries alone.  The 120v and 12v systems are essentially separate except at the voltage converter (not inverter), and that should provide a good steady 12.8-14.7 volts.  The converter works like a battery charger for the house batteries, and they usually have enough capacity to charge and power 12v stuff while you're on shore power.  Odd 12v voltage fluctuations might be related to corroded terminals/wires/grounds at the battery, low electrolyte water, or bad battery.  Service the batteries while you're in there, and visual the battery cases for any apparent ballooning, look for corroded wires, or corroded ground at the chassis.  After that I'm wondering about the amperage draw of the 12v device?  A 12v cigar lighter socket in the dash is usually a high amperage circuit of 25-30 amps.  Other 12v sockets are considered 'power ports' and are intended for low amperage use like 15 amps max, and they have smaller gauge wires that could cause voltage drop under load if you're using a higher amperage appliance.  Lighter and power ports look the same, lighters are always a metal cylinder to handle heat, power ports could be metal or plastic.  For example, if your trying to use a small inverter on a power port it might not work right.  Last thoughts, perhaps there could be low voltage at the shore power, or are you running the house A/C at the same time causing similar voltage drop?  Good luck...